Current Affairs - August 4, 2025 Current Affairs

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan has assumed charge as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. He is a distinguished officer with expertise in Gunnery and Missile Systems and has commanded significant naval assets, including the Eastern Fleet. His leadership was particularly notable during critical operational periods. In addition to sea commands, he has served in key tri-service capacities, such as Deputy Commandant at the National Defence Academy and Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff. His contributions were recognised with the award of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2021, reflecting his dedication and strategic impact in the Indian Navy.

India received the final Airbus C-295MW military transport aircraft from Spain, marking the completion of the first batch of 16 aircraft under the 2021 agreement with Airbus Defence & Space. The delivery took place at the assembly line in Seville, Spain, and was completed ahead of schedule. This delivery is part of a larger contract for 56 aircraft, with the remaining 40 to be manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The collaboration signifies a strategic defence partnership between India and Spain while also supporting India's 'Make in India' initiative and strengthening indigenous aerospace capabilities.

The ‘Apna Ghar’ initiative, launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is primarily aimed at improving the well-being of truck drivers across the country. By July 1, 2025, a total of 368 rest units with 4,611 beds were established at highway fuel outlets. These facilities provide clean and safe environments for rest, equipped with essential amenities like sanitation and bedding. Truck drivers, who often face fatigue and lack proper resting spaces during long journeys, are the main beneficiaries. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance logistics infrastructure and improve working conditions in the road transport sector.

BSNL has partnered with Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) to roll out India’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) in the refinery sector. This collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, marks a significant step in leveraging indigenous 5G technology to drive Industry 4.0 initiatives. The deployment is expected to revolutionise industrial automation by enabling real-time operations and enhanced connectivity within the refinery. This development also aligns with the government’s push to modernise Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) through technological integration, ensuring efficiency and self-reliance in critical sectors like energy and infrastructure.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta initiated a month-long door-to-door cleanliness campaign in New Delhi, beginning at ISBT Kashmiri Gate. The campaign is designed to improve hygiene standards in residential areas, government offices, and public transport hubs. Civic bodies and citizens are both playing an active role in ensuring the success of this initiative. The Chief Minister also drew attention to the poor conditions of existing government offices, underlining the necessity for a new Secretariat. This reflects a broader push to not only clean public spaces but also upgrade the infrastructure that supports government functioning in the capital city.

Sikkim has emerged as the first state in India to introduce a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for its government employees, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to administrative reform and employee welfare. Introduced in August 2023, the scheme allows both regular and temporary employees to take extended leave ranging from 365 to 1,080 days while receiving 50% of their basic pay. The policy retains job security, seniority, and includes provisions for recall with a one-month notice. By decentralising approval authority between departments and including temporary staff, the initiative promotes inclusivity, efficiency, and well-being within the public workforce, making it a potential model for other states.

In July 2025, India’s GST collections reached ₹1.96 lakh crore, reflecting a 7.5% increase from the same month in the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by strong performance in both imports and domestic transactions. Although the net revenue growth was only 1.7% due to a surge in refunds, the gross collection increase remained significant. The 7.5% rise highlights the continued resilience of the economy in terms of tax compliance and consumption patterns. This figure does not represent regional or net growth numbers, which are often impacted by other variables like refunds or state-specific performance.

The cooperative sector has launched a new taxi service named ‘Bharat’ with the objective of competing directly with established players like Ola and Uber. This initiative involves eight major cooperatives, including the National Cooperative Development Corporation, under the banner of the Multi-State Sahakari Taxi Cooperative Ltd. With a financial backing of ₹300 crore and a starting fleet of 200 drivers operating across four states, the rollout is expected by the end of 2025. This move aims to strengthen the presence of cooperative ventures in the transport sector while promoting more community-driven economic models in public services.

India has secured the second position globally in fish production, as announced by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh. This achievement is the result of a significant 103% increase in fish output between 2013–14 and 2024–25. The growth is largely driven by government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and support schemes like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), which have empowered rural communities to actively participate in aquaculture. The collaborative efforts of states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh have also played a key role in enhancing productivity and ensuring India’s strong global standing in the fisheries sector.

Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious at the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025, held in Riyadh, by defeating Alireza Firouzja in the Grand Final. Representing Team Liquid, Carlsen showcased his dominance with a powerful performance—securing four wins, two draws, and only one loss across seven games. The event highlighted his superior time management, calm under pressure, and strategic brilliance. Carlsen's path to the title included a crucial semifinal win over Hikaru Nakamura. His competitive drive and witty remarks added flair to the tournament, culminating in a decisive victory that firmly established him as the first champion of this new esports chess format.

Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair has taken over as the Controller Personnel Services of the Indian Navy. He brings a wealth of experience, particularly in Communications and Electronic Warfare, and has commanded key naval assets such as INS Vikramaditya. He played a leading role in Operation Sankalp and contributed to the drafting of strategic policy documents like MCPP and MIPP. His distinguished service has been recognised with prestigious awards such as the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Nau Sena Medal (NM). He has also served as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, reinforcing his deep involvement in naval leadership and training.